Because past the phenomenon Beast realm, Demon beast gained intellect that made them capable of ignoring their instincts and acts rationally for the purpose of survival, the forests were far from being adequate homes for them anymore.

Now they could reason that humans would always hunt them down as long as they could be overpowered. Staying in the forest was only going to make that easier.

However, without being at the Aurora beast realm, they could never take human form and attempt to mingle and once they advanced to the Aurora beast realm, somehow the Exterminators always knew and would come down to offer two choices.

Serve the Haron empire or die.

As for humans, once they were in the Cosmic Phenomenon realm, only meats of beasts at the corresponding realm could truly have desired effects on their bodies and cultivation. And while a scant few skewer and eat them anyway, the majority felt it was much too close to cannibalism.

After all, at that realm, the Demon beasts already gain intellect.

As such, other than cities like the old Salmon city where cultivators at the Cosmic Armament realm or weaker were abundant, other cities had no need for Demon beasts and the forest was usually devoid of them.

Those born, raised, and used to this lifestyle tend to consider such cities and such situations as infestations.

So Hal did not really find her choice of words odd, he did however wonder how well she knew Salmon city,

"Quite well. It's usually my family's chosen location for our cosmic Pearl realm young generation to train themselves." Penelope said.

"Is that so?" Hal said with a smile.

"So, do you mind telling me what this party is all about? It does not look like it's just for socializing." He added.

Penelope giggled,

"You're right, it's not just for socializing" she said and took a sip of wine.

"Is It something secret that I can not know about?" He asked.

"Don't be silly, of course not. The old Baron died recently and Aaro just inherited the title. This party is for him to get to know all those he owed his title to." She told him.

"I don't really follow" Hal said to get her to continue.

Penelope was not fooled,

"Now we are getting to the secret topics. Oh well, I never really cared about protocols.

The title of Baron could have easily shifted hands after the Baron's death and while Aaro is quite powerful, he is far from influential enough. So he reached out to an ally who reached out to the County and the connection continued until he had enough to keep the title.

It's nothing really. It's actually the order of things."

Hal nodded in understanding,

"I see"

At that time, the Baron infused his voice with Cosmic energy and spoke to all those gathered,

"Good evening to you all. It is quite a happy occasion as today I officially become Baron and it is all thanks to you all.

Before the merriment continues, I'd like to call out my brother, the lieutenant of the Kirsten guards, Henrik Kirsten"

*Applause*

It was not a deafening one but one that showed interest as Henrik walked towards his brother while a stage was set up in minutes and Hal looked on in mild surprise.

Eva was suddenly back at his side,

"Surprising isn't it? She said with a smile.

Hal returned the smile,

"It actually is. You two are related" he said.

"In-laws"

"And the Baron let his brother serve under you?"

Eva shrugged,

"Why wouldn't he? While there are those more capable than me to be captain, Henrik is not one of them. He is lovesick though." She said.

The way she said it caused Hal to glance at her as he realized the feeling was mutual. Eva was only attempting to hide it. Most likely because of conflicting feelings.

Which was mostly due to her inability to not be attracted to Hal when she was still screening him.

He found their dynamic a tad bit amusing and interesting.

Henrik alighted the stage and gave courteous bows to those present while he stretched his hand and pulled out a regular sword while three men suddenly emerged from the back of the gathered crowd of guests who made way for them to pass.

The three men alighted the stage and pulled out regular swords as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen. This is to be a display of swordsmanship which I do hope you will all find interesting." Henrik announced and the sparring display began.

*clang* *clang* *clang*

Henrik crossed swords with the men numerous times and made use of impressive dexterity and footwork to evade their attacks while still attacking them.

The three were no amateurs either and even Henrik had been incapable of delivering connecting strikes to either of their bodies, but it was only a matter of time.

*Applause*

Henrik performed a particularly impressive twist and jab that caught one of them in the midsection. He groaned and stepped off the stage while the applause rose from the crowd.

But it was not over yet and Henrik continued to spar with the other two.

Hal frowned because he could tell that the moves were choreographed. The three men and Henrik had clearly practiced this ahead of time.

That said, it did not mean that either of them was incapable because they WERE capable, it was just not real.

*Bang*

*Thud*

Soon, one was blasted off the stage completely while the other was whacked behind the knees and forced to kneel.

*Applause*

"Wow"

"Impressive"

The audience praised the display while Hal snorted in his mind and struggled not to roll his eyes.

At least it was now over and he could get back to drinking his wine in peace, he was turning away when Henrik's voice sounded right behind him,

"Wait, Mr. Hal. The demonstration is not over yet" he said.

Hal turned,

"Really?'

"Really. All that happened was planned ahead and there was no danger at all, so how about a true spar. How about a true spar with you?" Henrik offered.

"What?" Hal was incredulous.

"Henrik, what are you doing?" Eva asked in such a low voice that only Henrik and a few others, Hal included, heard.

Henrik replied in the same low voice,

"Since you don't want to tell me who he is, I've decided to find out on my own."

And then he turned to Aaro,

"Baron, permission to ask this young man to spar with me" he said with a bow.

"Granted" Aaro said without missing a beat while Camira's eyes narrowed.

Hal followed Henrik to the stage while feeling a little annoyance and chancing a glance at Camira, Eva's sister, and realizing he did not recognize her at all.

He had not forgotten he was here to find something out his Eva knew him and if he did not recognize the Baroness, then where and how did his path cross with Eva's who he also never knew before today.

"Can you summon an Armament?" Henrik asked.

Hal shrugged,

"Of course" he said and there was surprise in the eyes of many.

While age was not easily determined by looks due to cultivation, seasoned men and women in the crowd could still tell that he was twenty at most.

For him to be at the Cosmic Armament realm was worth noting and would probably warrant him being called a genius.

Henrik, however, could not care less as he summoned his sword Cosmic Armament while Hal summoned his serrated and Straight edged sword.

"We will not make use of cultivation. Only our skills with our weapons. It's good that they are both swords, albeit still quite different."

The two walked briskly towards each other and crossed blades to release a loud...

*CLANG*

...sound that marked the start of their spar.